Support and Capacity Building for Research

The faculty at Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) includes both individuals with considerable experience of doing independent research and those with very little such experience. RAPS supports both groups through internal research grants, and through initiatives to facilitate the development of research proposals.

Internal Research Grants

All faculty members are eligible to apply for this normally small grant of up to US $ 5000-6000. The grants are administered through policies and procedures recommended by RAPSAC.

Other Support Initiatives

Research proposals for internal grants are submitted to RAPS which sends them to two or three reviewers. If the reviewers require revision and resubmission, the head of RAPS is available to provide support by reading and giving feedback on several drafts of the proposal. Whenever necessary, other faculty members are requested to provide similar support. Assistance for preparing the budget for research is also provided by the by AKU-IED finance office and the RAPS office.

RAPS provides additional support to faculty and staff in the form of seminars and workshops on various research methods, including case studies, action research, and surveys.

RAPS facilitates the formation of faculty research groups. Faculty members are invited to participate in externally funded research projects. RAPS provides support by preparing the initial concept paper, appointing a coordinator for the group, and giving intellectual and administrative input to proposal development when requested. RAPS also helps in the submission of proposals to external funding agencies.